3 Bay Area women participate in Oprah's giveaway

PETALUMA, Calif. (KGO) -- You may have seen Oprah's show "Oprah's favorite things," where she dedicated it to people who have done amazing work to help others. Three of those people in the audience, are from the Bay Area. They thought they were there to talk about what they give to the community and instead, they came to receive.

Oprah began the show talking about meditation and for the audience, which included two sisters from Petaluma, it was a bit of disappointing moment.

"She never meditates," Krista Gawronski said.

Everyone in the audience is someone who has done a lot for communities in need. Gawronski started "Fabulous Women of Petaluma" after her sister, Sandra Acevedo took her to listen to Oprah at a conference.

"If you don't know, go home and pray about it. And figure out what you are supposed to do with your life," Gawronski said.

"We can help people. families in need or bigger causes, local causes, global causes," Acevedo said.

When Oprah called on people to submit names of heroes in their community, Gawronski and her sister were invited not knowing it was Oprah's "Ultimate Favorite Things" show.

"A man is rolling on the ground praising the lord, it was surreal," Gawronski said.

There were s total of 25 gifts given and among them were a Caribbean cruise, an HDTV, cashmere sweaters, a camera to name a few.

Gawronski's favorite gift was a diamond watch.

"I'll be honest I'm afraid to even put it on," she said.

Michele Brown of Oakland was looking rather elated when she showed us the watch. Brown sent Oprah an e-mail about Dr. Eduardo Dolan who recently saved lives in Haiti through his drip drop system. They were invited to the show and left inspired by Oprah's generosity.

Oprah is picking up the taxes, shipping and the handling. Since Oprah video tapes two shows a day, this time both audiences got gifts. So on Monday, you will see another very happy group of people.

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volunteerism, oprah winfrey, entertainment, lyanne melendez

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